An Introduction to Latent Variable Growth Modeling : Concepts, Issues and Applications

This volume presents Latent Variable Growth Curve Modeling for analyzing repeated measures. It is likely that most readers have already mastered many of LGM's underpinnings, in as much as repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) models are special cases of LGMs that focus only on the factor means. In contrast, a fully expanded latent growth curve analysis takes into account both factor means and variances. LGMs are also variants of the standard linear structural model. In addition to using regression coefficients and variances and covariances of the independent variables, they incorporate a mean structure into the model. The book features two major themes--concepts and issues, and applications--and is designed to take advantage of the reader's familiarity with ANOVA and standard procedures in introducing LGM techniques and presenting practical examples.

Terry E. Duncan is a Senior Research Scientist at the Oregon Research Institute. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Oregon and is an active researcher in statistical methods for longitudinal and multilevel designs, structural equation and generalized linear models, approaches for the analysis of missing data, and the etiology of substance use and development.
Susan C. Duncan is a Senior Research Scientist at the Oregon Research Institute. She received her Ph.D. from the University of Oregon. She is known for her work on substantive, statistical, and methodological issues related to youth health risk and health promoting behaviors.
Lisa A. Strycker is a Senior Research Associate and Co-Investigator at the Oregon Research Institute. She received her M.S. in psychology in 1997 from the University of Oregon. Her research interests include statistical methods, chronic illness, and health behaviors.